Government approve Culcheth High sixth form closure

THE Government has formally ruled that Culcheth High School's sixth form college will close.

Schools adjudicator David Lennard Jones ruled that the college could close after the decision was referred to him because the council had missed out on a two month time limit to rule on the decision itself.

Warrington Borough Council's executive board had voted in favour of the college closure on June 10 but because the decision was called in by Clr Chris Vobe (LAB - Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft) and the scrutiny committee sent recommendations back to the executive board its final decision fell on July 14 - outside the June 24 two month deadline.

Mr Lennard Jones said: "The proposal to remove this sixth form has the full support of the school’s governing body. The substantive decision making body the LA, having considered all the arguments, also concluded that the removal of this sixth form should be approved.

"I have carefully reviewed all the issues and read the detail of the objections made. I have concluded that the proposal to remove the sixth form at Culcheth High school should be approved."

Responding to the decision, Warrington North MP Helen Jones said: "This Government can no longer claim to support parents who want more choice.

"In our area, the choice for local people is being reduced.

"The adjudicator’s decision is very disappointing and lets down the hundreds of people who objected to these plans for closure."

In a joint statement, Clr Chris Vobe and Clr Matt Smith added: "We have always supported retaining a sixth form in our village. The excellent A-level results at Culcheth this year show the high standards of education the college offered.

"The adjudicator has made the wrong decision, as yet again this Government proves they are not on the side of people in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft."

The sixth form will officially close on August 31, 2015.

Comments (3)

Where exactly are kids supposed to study? There has been a decree that kids must remain in education until 18 and then close the only local establishment which offers the facility to do so. Wigan and Leigh college have oversubscribed, Winstanley College have reduced their courses so they don't cover the courses that Culcheth Sixth Form offered and lastly, Warrington or Priestly College don't offer linked courses unless the next stage course is offered at Chester. Also, Culcheth High School received money for this sixth form, so does anyone get a refund?

Same Tory mindset of making laws to shuffle statistics, stealing the future from todays kids like it did in the 80's, only difference here is that theres no milk.

Where exactly are kids supposed to study? There has been a decree that kids must remain in education until 18 and then close the only local establishment which offers the facility to do so. Wigan and Leigh college have oversubscribed, Winstanley College have reduced their courses so they don't cover the courses that Culcheth Sixth Form offered and lastly, Warrington or Priestly College don't offer linked courses unless the next stage course is offered at Chester. Also, Culcheth High School received money for this sixth form, so does anyone get a refund?
Same Tory mindset of making laws to shuffle statistics, stealing the future from todays kids like it did in the 80's, only difference here is that theres no milk.HappyMisery

a) The School Governors wanted it closed because not enough pupils wanted to stay on in the 6th Form ( they chose to go to Winstanley or Priestly instead).

b) Warrington Executive Board were in favour of the closure. On 11th February 2014, Warrington "Labour" Cllr Colin Froggatt, executive board member for families and wellbeing, said: “Having observed due process and carried out a full consultation, we are in agreement with the governors that maintaining a sixth form for low number of students does not represent the best use of resources.

This decision was made locally, by local people.

How can the "Tory" Government be responsible for this closure:
a) The School Governors wanted it closed because not enough pupils wanted to stay on in the 6th Form ( they chose to go to Winstanley or Priestly instead).
b) Warrington Executive Board were in favour of the closure. On 11th February 2014, Warrington "Labour" Cllr Colin Froggatt, executive board member for families and wellbeing, said: “Having observed due process and carried out a full consultation, we are in agreement with the governors that maintaining a sixth form for low number of students does not represent the best use of resources.
This decision was made locally, by local people.blueted

Actually, they didn't poll any of the pupils in Year 5 to discuss 6th Form options with them and it was established that no diligence had taken place to assess how many would attend Sixth Form. This was a fiscal decision which was made by the school board and LEA as a cost reduction exercise.

I didn't say that the government were directly involved in this decision, but with financial education cuts (the reason for the closure) and the fact that no 16 year olds will be classed as unemployed, they have shuffled the figures. The very fact that local education facilities are closing across the UK with an increased number of candidates requiring places, due to decisions made by the Tories (Stay in school until you're 18) then they are responsible. The catalysts for these decisions were not made locally by local people.

The very fact that almost all colleges in or close to Warrington are up to subscription volumes or oversubscribed, is evidence enough that its another poorly thought out cost reduction exercise that doesn't support the standards that this government are supposed to uphold.

Actually, they didn't poll any of the pupils in Year 5 to discuss 6th Form options with them and it was established that no diligence had taken place to assess how many would attend Sixth Form. This was a fiscal decision which was made by the school board and LEA as a cost reduction exercise.
I didn't say that the government were directly involved in this decision, but with financial education cuts (the reason for the closure) and the fact that no 16 year olds will be classed as unemployed, they have shuffled the figures. The very fact that local education facilities are closing across the UK with an increased number of candidates requiring places, due to decisions made by the Tories (Stay in school until you're 18) then they are responsible. The catalysts for these decisions were not made locally by local people.
The very fact that almost all colleges in or close to Warrington are up to subscription volumes or oversubscribed, is evidence enough that its another poorly thought out cost reduction exercise that doesn't support the standards that this government are supposed to uphold.HappyMisery